Did you know that the Union Cycliste Internationale Cyclo-cross World Championships will be held in Louisville, Kentucky January 31 through February 3? Did you even understand a word of what I just said? This is a big deal, people! This is the first time a world championship bike race is scheduled outside of Europe and it’s happening here!
Cyclo-cross is an on- and off-road bike race that covers a crazy course of different terrains – sand, rock, road, mud. It involves obstacles that force cyclists to get off their bikes and carry or “bunny hop” them. Cyclo-cross also has cowbells. That’s right, cowbells. What started as an off-season sport for road racing cyclists in late 19th century France – riding through fields, jumping fences, and grabbing a cowbell along the way – has turned into a growing international phenomenon.
Jennifer Hester, a teacher and local cycling enthusiast explained all things cyclo-cross, including how to foster your kid’s interest in the sport.
“Cyclo-cross is exploding!” said Hester. “It’s the fastest growing discipline in cycling.”
According to Hester, there is one important factor contributing to the rapid growth of cyclo-cross.
“It’s an awesome family sport,” said Hester. “Dad can race, Mom can race, teens can race, and your toddler can race. And [you can] spend the day, have a picnic. And there’s food trucks!”
The races do sound like a lot of fun. Music blasts from boom boxes; spectators bring cowbells, trumpets, or vuvuzelas; and there are “hand-ups.” Hand-ups are tokens of appreciation that spectators hand up to racers. Hester recalls spectators handing up candy, dollar bills, shots (although not during championships), rubber chickens, and once Hester received a waffle.
“It was dry,” said Hester about the waffle.
Most racers compete in one race and then spend the entire day at the track.
“It’s a big party,” said Hester. “Kids love cyclo-cross because it’s muddy and sandy and there’s people cheering.”
In Louisville, we are fortunate enough to have Eva Bandman Park on River Road, considered a premiere cyclo-cross venue, something few American cities can boast. The park will host the Cyclo-cross World Championships, but you can check the park’s website for local races happening year-round.
Children can race in cyclo-cross as long as they don’t have training wheels. Hester has seen tricycles in the 4-and-under category. The children’s races are short, modified courses and it’s usually free to enter. Last October, Eva Bandman Park hosted a Halloween cyclo-cross event that encouraged kids to wear costumes.
Many parents, like student-teacher Sarah Francisco, race cyclo-cross alongside their kids. Francisco, her husband, and their three boys are all cyclists, but her boys are the competitors. Her oldest son, John, just returned from Belgium where he competed in a cyclo-cross race with 60 other kids in the 17 to 18 year old category. Her youngest son, Thomas, has earned a first place ranking in the USA Cycling 10 to 12 year old category and hopes to win a medal at nationals, as does her middle son, James.
“As a mom, I have always liked cyclo-cross because the courses are not on roads and I feel the kids are safer,” said Francisco. “They could still get hurt, but not hit by a car. When my kids get hurt in cyclo-cross, they learn from their mistakes. Riding bikes has helped our kids with endurance, strength, attitude, competition, winning and losing, problem solving, bicycle mechanics, and getting back up after falling…Cyclo-cross has had enormous fitness benefits and my kids have been lucky to have many fine men and women as mentors, both on and off the bike.”
By now you might be wondering if your daughter can bring her Barbie bike to race. The short answer is, “yes.” The longer answer is, “it depends if she wants to win.” Cyclo-cross bikes look like road bikes, but they have specific features designed for the various obstacles and terrains of the courses. Hester explained that if you’re not super competitive, you can ride a mountain bike. Once you cross into competitive cyclo-cross, you’ll need a specific helmet, shoes, jersey, and, of course, bike.
If your child is serious about competing, check out Red Zone Cycling. Red Zone has both a junior cycling club and an elite junior team, which trains three times a week. In order to qualify for the team, you child needs to be in the club for at least six months.
So what are you waiting for, Louisville? Grab a cowbell and bike over to Eva Bandman Park.
The Details
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships
January 31-February 3
Eva Bandman Park
1701 River Road
louisvilleky.gov/metroparks/parks/bandman
Red Zone Cycling
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